The NSW Police Force will welcome 261 new probationary constables to its ranks at the Police Academy in Goulburn today (Friday 3 May 2019).
'Class 337' includes 176 policemen and 85 policewomen who will complete 12 months on-the-job training and study of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice by distance education with Charles Sturt University before being confirmed to the rank of constable.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM will be joined by Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, The Honourable Margaret Beasley AO GC, NSW Premier, The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, The Honourable David Elliot MP, to inspect the new recruits on the parade ground.
Commissioner Fuller said the newly-attested officers will hit the ground running on Monday when they start at their new postings at police stations across the state.
"Today marks the end of the first chapter in these new officer's policing careers, however it also represents the start of the next chapter, where they will experience the great challenges and rewards of serving the community as police officers," Commissioner Fuller said.
"To uphold the values of the NSW Police Force takes hard work, dedication and commitment, and all these new officers have demonstrated they have the drive to succeed.
"I am proud to welcome our new recruits and wish them the very best as they begin work in their new communities," Commissioner Fuller said.
The ceremony will also see retiring officers Detective Chief Superintendent Wayne Gordon APM, Detective Superintendent Michael Plotecki APM, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Thomas and Chief Inspector Kim Sorensen APM farewelled after 153 years combined service with the NSW Police Force.
RETIRING OFFICERS BIO
Detective Chief Superintendent Wayne Gordon APM
41 years of distinguished service
Detective Chief Superintendent Wayne Gordon joined the NSW Police Force in 1978 at the Redfern Police Academy. He attested as a Probationary Constable attached to No. 14 Division at Manly where he performed general duties, before being promoted to Detective in 1983.
For 37 years, Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon has performed duties at Specialist Commands including; Consorting, Homicide, Armed Hold Up, Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS), Negotiators, Serious & Organised Crime, Drugs Trafficking, Gangs, and Counter Terrorism.
Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon has represented the NSW Police Force at national and international levels. He retires from the position he held since 2008 as Commander of the Anti-Terrorism and Security Group.
During his distinguished service Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon was awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Service Medal, National Media 1st and 2nd clasp, three Commissioners Commendations, four Commissioners Unit Citations, NSW Police Medial 4th clasp, AFP Operations Medal (Neath), COP Sesquicentennial Citation, and COP Olympic Citation.
Detective Superintendent Michael Plotecki APM
38 years of distinguished service
Detective Superintendent Michael Plotecki attested as a Constable in 1982 and was attached to No. 7 Division at Redfern. In 1986 he was designated as a Detective, before being transferred to the Drug Law Enforcement Bureau, then to South Region Drug Squad.
In 1989 he commenced duties with the South Region Homicide Squad and was an active member of the Special Weapons and Operations Squad (SWOS). He was promoted through the ranks, becoming Superintendent in March 2000, where he took over as Commander of Gladesville. He subsequently went on to command Leichhardt, Bankstown, Liverpool and Lake Illawarra Local Area Commands.
In 2008, Detective Superintendent Plotecki took up Command of the Organised Crime (Targeting) Squad. Six years later he took over as Commander of the Firearms and Organised Crime Squad, where he sat on national committees regarding firearm regulations across the jurisdictions.
During his distinguished service Detective Superintendent Plotecki was awarded the National Medal, National Medal 1st and 2nd clasp, NSW Police Medal, NSW Police Medal 2nd, 3rd and 4th clasp, two Commissioners Commendations, Australian Police Medal and National Police Service Medal.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Thomas
41 years of distinguished service
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Thomas attested as a probationary constable in 1978 and was attached to No. 19 Division at Bass Hill. Seven years later he commenced plainclothes duties at Hurstville Police Station, before being designated as a Detective in 1987. He then performed criminal investigation duties at The Independent Commission against Corruption at Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden Police Stations.
While serving at Campbelltown, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant. In 2008, he was again promoted to Inspector in 2008 and served as a Duty Officer at Fairfield Local Area Command.
During his service Detective Chief Inspector Thomas was recognised for his performance whilst engaged in the inquiries concerning the Milperra Father's Day massacre of September 1984. In addition, he received a number of Commanders Commendations relating to a siege at Buxton in 2000 and a domestic violence murder investigation at Narellan in 2001.
Detective Chief Inspector Thomas was also awarded the National Medal, National Medal 1st and 2nd clasp, COP Olympic Citation, NSW Police Medal, NSW Police Medal 6th clasp, COP Sesquicentennial Citation and the National Police Service Medal.
Chief Inspector Kim Sorensen APM
33 years of distinguished service
Chief Inspector Kim Sorensen attested as a probationary constable in 1986 attached to Albury Police Station, after a six-year stint in the Northern Territory Police. He spent most of his 33 years of policing in regional areas of NSW and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1997. Six years later he was promoted to Chief Inspector at Tuggerah Lakes.
In 2007, he led a team of NSW Police Force officers to assist the Northern Territory Police with Taskforce 'Themis', a Federal Government intervention into Child Mistreatment. In 2011, he was part of the NSW contingent of Australian police deployed to New Zealand to assist in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake.
In 2013, Chief Inspector Sorensen returned to Albury Police Station as a Duty Officer, before retiring at the same police station where he started his career.
During his distinguished service Chief Inspector Sorensen was awarded the NSW Police Medal, NSW Police Medal 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th clasp, NSW Premier Emergency Award, Humanitarian Oversea Service, Canterbury Earthquake citation, Australian Police Medal and the National Medal.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT 'CLASS 337'
A total of 261 new recruits are being sworn in today.
The class comprises of 176 policemen and 85 policewomen.
The students will attest with the rank of probationary constable and report to their new stations for work on Monday (6 May 2019).
They will then complete 12 months on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University. They officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.
Of the probationary constables attesting today, 234 were born in Australia and 27 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include; New Zealand, China, Serbia, Wales, India, Ecuador, South Africa, USA, Germany, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Canada.
The recruits age statistics include:
- 34 are aged 19-20
- 129 are aged 21-25
- 62 are aged 26-30
- 15 are aged 31-35
- 12 are aged 36-40
- Nine aged over 40
For interviews with recruits going to specific areas, please contact the relevant Police Area Command or Police District on Monday 6 May 2019.
